Agony

 

    Agony is to struggle with evil.  It is a struggle that causes pain and suffering.  A great example is how Jesus was in agony, so that people had the key to enter Heaven.  He suffered physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Living agony is just a stage.  It happens before change or death, but it does not last forever.

    King Jehoiakim was not mourned by his people.  The mourned the splendor of life being gone with his death.  His body was buried like an animal.  There was no help to come to their aide.  Disobedience led to the agony of a nation.  

    God was trying to make them ashamed of their wickedness.  It is nice to live in a beautiful place, but it will turn to agony if that is not where God put you.  It become painful labor like a woman giving birth.  God would have given it all back if they would have realized that disobedience was evil.

    Lazarus was a poor man that lived in agony living on the streets at the gate of a rich man.  That man could have helped him at anytime, but never took notice of Lazarus.  Eventually the poor man died and the angels carried his soul up to heaven.  

    When the rich man died, he went to the place of torment to live eternity in agony.  This place broke him and he be shouted to Abraham to have Lazarus bring him just a drop of water to easy his agony.  Abraham reminded him of how he lived and ignored Lazarus' agony.  So, then the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers so they would not end up like himself.  Abraham pointed out that they have been warned by the prophets. It is every person's choice to listen and accept.

    Jesus was hours away from facing the agony of his last hours of life.  He decided to go to the Mount of Olives to pray in a peaceful area.  He prayed that his apostles would not be tempted.  He also prayed that God would take the agony away, but if He didn't then Jesus was prepared to face it to do God's will.  

    Angel came and strengthened Jesus to face his agony.  His response was to pray more fervently to the point that he sweated blood.  Eventually Jesus got up to return to his apostles only to find that they had fallen asleep.  

    They did not understand the importance or Jesus' agony, so they gave into their body's need for rest. That is the thing, if we do not understand, then we have no urgency.  Lives and souls are in stake.  We are also more likely to give into temptation.  You have to fear God more than your own selfish desires.

Jeremiah 22:18-31, Luke 16:19-24, & 22:39-46